What is Zanzibar famous for? (13+ Reasons)

Zanzibar is one of the most visited islands in Tanzania but why?

What is Zanzibar famous for?

This is a pretty common question, especially to anyone who hasn’t visited the island yet or has only heard of Zanzibar. Luckily for you, I love traveling around Africa and Zanzibar is one of my favorite destinations.

So I’m here to provide 13 things Zanzibar is famous for.

Let’s dive into it!

What is Zanzibar famous for?

Zanzibar is famous for a load of things. From pristine beaches, a wide array of spices, Stone Town, exquisite Swahili cuisines, and so much more. This is only the tip of what makes Zanzibar famous, so let’s dive into some reasons why Zanzibar is famous.

1. Pristine Beaches

The entire island is surrounded by beautiful beaches with soft white sand. One of the best beaches in Zanzibar and perhaps the most coveted beach is Nungwi Beach.

Located on the northern tip of the island, Nugwi Beach is a tropical paradise and the perfect place to relax and unwind. The long stretch of soft white sandy beach is perfectly complemented by the crystal clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

Nungwi Beach is not only picture-perfect but also offers the best snorkeling and scuba diving spots as well as sunbathing spots. In addition, adventure lovers can enjoy water sports activities such as kite surfing, and jet skiing among many others.

2. Breath-taking Coral Reefs

Scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts fall in love with the coral reefs Zanzibar has to offer.

One of the best places to scuba dive or go snorkeling is Mnemba Atoll. Beneath the clear blue waters are some of the best corals Zanzibar offers its visitors. Here you will see some of the most vibrant and colorful corals in the world. In addition, snorkellers and scuba divers get to witness diverse marine life, colorful fish, and sea turtles.

3. Stone Town

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Zanzibar’s Stone Town is one of the well-preserved Swahili settlements. The town dates back to the 18th century preserving the cultural and architectural history of the Swahili people.

This is a must-visit town while in Zanzibar. Indulge in Swahili cuisines and souvenir shopping. Get lost in the narrow alleys while admiring the ancient coral buildings and the big beautiful wooden doors.

If you love history or simply want a deeper understanding of this town, I recommend getting a guide.

Stone Town is easily walkable and safe to visit if you want to explore on your own.

4. Swahili Culture

Zanzibar is famous for its Swahili culture. A vibrant and interesting culture with African, Arabic, and Indian influences. You will notice these influences in the cuisine, spices, architecture, and traditional performances.

Like other coastal towns in Kenya such as Mombasa and Lamu, Arabic and Indian influences are easy to spot in Stone Town. Due to their location, these coastal towns were used as major trading hubs during the Indian Ocean trade hence the notable influences. However, Zanzibar’s Stone Town has more similarities to Lamu’s Old Town especially in the architecture.

5. Spice Tours

Zanzibar is also famous for producing a wide array of spices. In fact, it’s very common to hear people refer to the island as “spice island”.

Some common spices from Zanzibar include cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, and cardamom. These are only a few of the aromatic delights you can expect to find in the markets or the spice farms.

If looking to fully immerse in Zanzibar spices, taking a spice tour is the best way to do it. On the farms, you get to learn how the spices are cultivated and experience the fragrance and aromas of these spices in their most natural form.

6. Swahili Cuisine

With its rich spice history, Zanzibar’s cuisine definitely makes the island famous. Dishes such as pilau, biryani, and curries are packed with flavor from locally sourced spices and ingredients.

While enjoying the local cuisines, you can’t miss out on trying the seafood. You can’t go wrong with fresh seafood marinated using local spices and prepared in different styles. While at it, try Calamari in Zanzibar I promise you won’t regret it!

7. Slave Market Museum

Zanzibar’s rich history also has a dark side to it. During the Indian Ocean trade, the slave market in Zanzibar was where slaves were sold off to Arab, Indian, and Persian countries among others.

The Slavery Museum stands where this market once stood. Here you’ll find artifacts and exhibits that serve as a reminder of this dark side of the island.

Visitors can explore the slave cellar where slaves were held waiting for their auction. The poor conditions and the small size of the room compared to the number of slaves held in there are truly heartbreaking. You also see the auctioning yard with pits where the slaves stood as their buyers inspected them.

Slave market museum in stone town, Zanzibar

8. Sultan Palace

The Sultan Palace is a historical building in Zanzibar providing insights into the Zanzibari royal family back in the 19th century.

Here you will find museums dedicated to various members of the royal family. these include the Museum of Sultan Sir Khalifa bin Harub and the Zanzibari princess who ran away to be with her husband in Europe. You also get to witness furniture used by the royal family among many other artifacts.

9. Overwater Bungalows & villas

Zanzibar is also famous for its luxurious overwater villas and bungalows. You get a Maldives overwater bungalow feeling but at an affordable rate.

These beautiful villas are the perfect romantic or relaxation destination. Relax in the villa pool or dive into the crystal-clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

Isaraya Luxury Overwater Villa (Photo: Expedia)

10. Botique Lodges & Resorts

Traveling on a budget? Zanzibar has accommodation for all budgets. If traveling on a mid-range budget boutique lodges are the perfect fit for your accommodation.

These beautiful lodges hidden in the lush green tropical gardens along the beaches offer a comfortable stay for many visitors. Many are only a short walking distance from the beaches so you don’t have to worry about getting there.

In addition, these lodges and resorts offer a personalized and authentic Swahili experience. Blending Swahili culture and modern comforts offering a relaxing stay.

11. Extensive Mangrove forests

Zanzibar is rich in mangrove forests. These forests provide shelter and breeding grounds for numerous marine life and beautiful relaxation spots for visitors.

Enjoy a relaxing walk along the boardwalks while listening to the birds singing high in the branches. Through a guided tour you can also learn about the different mangroove species found in Zanzibar as well as the different animals within these forests.

12. Unique Wildlife

Without a doubt, Zanzibar is famous for its rich marine life and beautiful corals. However, did you know that Zanzibar is also home to some unique species such as the endangered red Colombus monkeys?

These are only found on the island and are reason enough to go on a mini safari on the island. The best way to experience and see the unique wildlife Zanzibar has to offer, it’s highly recommended to go on a guided tour.

13. Prison Island

Located on Changuu Island commonly referred to as prison island is a notable place to visit for its rich history and ecosystem.

The island was gifted by the sultan of Zanzibar to two Arab slave owners who used it as a prison for rebellious slaves in the 19th century. The slaves were held here before being transferred to the slave market in Stone Town.

On the island, you’ll find giant tortoises roaming the old prison. There is a privately owned villa if you hope to explore the island extensively. The island is a perfect snorkeling destination if you want to escape the crowds elsewhere.

what is Zanzibar famous for: FAQ

What is Zanzibar famous for food?

Zanzibar is famous for foods such as Zanzibar pizza, biryani, pizza, octopus delicacies, mshikaki, urojo soup, vitumbua, mandazi, chips mayai, and coconut fish curry. The night street food market at Stone Town is a haven for street food lovers. Here you will find lots of options to choose from.

What spices is Zanzibar famous for?

Zanzibar is famous for spices such as nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, black pepper, chili, turmeric, and cinnamon. A wide array of spices are grown and produced in Zanzibar but these are among the most used.

What is Zanzibar famous for: Conclusion

There you have it, a complete guide to “What Zanzibar is famous for?”

Zanzibar is famous for many reasons and these will vary from one person to the other. Depending on how you travel the island or your experiences around the island.

Whether it’s for the coral reefs, pristine beaches, fragrant spices, Swahili cuisine, culture, or history, Zanzibar is a breathtaking island with something for everyone to enjoy!

What is Zanzibar famous for? (13+ Reasons)